In this 1/21/1954 edition of the Elyria Chronicle Telegram (Ohio) you see that the writer, John Lester, says that Paul Whiteman once proclaimed Snoozer Quinn the eighth wonder of the world. I wonder where Lester got his information?

I am in search of ANY primary source that features Whiteman’s thoughts on Snoozer Quinn. Les Paul has discussed Whiteman’s observations on Quinn in certain interviews, and there exist second- or third-hand references such as this implying the great respect Whiteman had for Snoozer’s ability. But I would love to find something more concrete…. letters, memoirs or interviews with Whiteman. Perhaps there is a Down Beat or Metronome interview with Whiteman out there that has observations on Snoozer? I’m slowly digging. Please let me know if you ever encounter anything like that.

A few years ago, I did access the scrapbooks that are part of the Whiteman Collection at Williams College, but no luck there.

I am looking for Victor 21261, Mart Britt singing “Tell Me Sweet Rose” and “You Will Be Gone.” Above is an ad listing them from the Morning Herald in Uniontown, Pennsylvania from April 21, 1928. I think it is possible that Snoozer is on these Mart Britt recordings. If you come across this, please let me know!!! UPDATE! FOUND IT Jan. 2, 2010. Purchased and will be arriving soon.

Thanks for visiting the Snoozer Quinn website. I’ll be developing this site with great information about the amazing Eddie Quinn in coming months, as I fine tune the thesis I am writing for Tulane University.

And if you’re a super fan of Snoozer Quinn, I hope you can come to see a presentation I’m giving during the 2010 French Quarter Fest in New Orleans. The exact time will be announced soon, but it will be April 9-11, 2010. It’s a FABULOUS free festival, with the best music in the world and the BEST food in the world, in the most beautiful city in America, during a glorious time of year.

Snoozer is LONG due for some significant recognition, and at this presentation, I will have an accompanying exhibit with photographs, instruments, mementos and more.

On this day, October 18, 1907, little Edward McIntosh Quinn was born in Pike County, near McComb, Mississippi. Born to Louis Benjamin Quin and Philonea (Fitzgerald) Quin (the spelling would change a few years later), Eddie was a middle child in a family with five boys. There was Richard “Dick” (born 1892), William “Willie” (1898), Robert “Hillary” (1901), Edward “Eddie” (1907), and Alton “Foots” (1913). In addition, a paternal niece named Fannie Quinn lived with the family for some time; she was Hillary’s age (1901).

Little Eddie was blessed with musical genius, and his talent would reveal itself as soon as he was old enough to toddle up to the family piano.

Worth mentioning about the baby is his slight birth defect, as it would affect him for the rest of his life: “Snoozer was born—when he was born, they had to use forceps, and his head was lopsided like that from forceps; his head came almost to a point; he was a funny looking guy.” (Monk Hazel, New Orleans drummer.)

The Quinn family moved to Bogalusa, Louisiana around 1911, when Quinn was about three years old. Bogalusa was a natural move – it was home of the Great Southern Lumber Company which in 1905 had established a train line called the New Orleans Great Northern Railroad to transport lumber products. And father Louis’ occupation, according to the 1910 federal census, was “car repairer” for the railroad house.

Interestingly, Philonea was one of four sisters, all of whom moved their families to Bogalusa around the same time, to settle within two blocks of one another. Clearly, Bogalusa was a viable destination for the region in the 1910s when America was transitioning from a rural farm economy to an industrial one.

Here’s a joyous Saints song meant to be sung really really loud. Enjoy!

“Look for the Fleur de Lis” by The Sham Rockers

P.S. This has nothing to do with Snoozer, but as he was the manager of the Bogalusa high school football team in the 1920s, I have confidence he too would be a card carrying member of the WhoDat nation!